Will I get a refund check?

Paying for College
1

I am a rising sophomore at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).

Basically, I got a full ride scholarship from the school that will cover tuition for all four years. This past year (my freshman year), I only had to pay around $10,000 for room/board. Six thousand of that was in the form of subsidized loans, and the other four came out of my savings. This upcoming year I’m going to be a Residential Advisor on campus. This means free room, free board, and a tuition discount. Because of that, it put me a little ahead and I actually have a negative balance of $957.

I’m wondering if I will get this back in a refund check? I’ll admit it sounds greedy and I’m completely fine with not receiving it, but what are everyone’s personal experiences with refund checks? I’ve done some researching and it seems you only get a refund check if it’s from a loan? I’ll be emailing the school shortly, but I wanted some input here before I do so.

Thank you!!

2

If will depend if that is because you already have full tuition and the $957 is from the RA position portion, or if the $957 is left over after loans are applied.

If it is because you got tuition credits from your scholarship and tuition credits from your RA position, you’ll have to see what the school’s policy on rebating its own awards are. Usually, the school won’t rebate that money but might give you a credit for it (book store? studio fees?) If it is from a combination of loans and tuition scholarship and all, then yes, you will get it back. Or don’t take the loans.

3

obviously if you are given a cash rebate of $957 you’ll do the right thing and donate it back this generous school. right?

4

I would think you could use the $957 for books, supplies or personal expenses which are all part of the cost of attending college